Kayaks

[Dhamilton1]

With spring season coming to an end soon or already over for some of us, I'm entertaining the wife's idea of getting some kayaks for this summer.

I will most likely get her a cheaper but decent recreation sit in kayak. However, for myself I'm looking at getting a sit on top fishing kayak, as I've gotten the urge to add fishing to my list of hobbies.

For those of you who kayak fish, what's a good sub $500, don't break the bank, fishing kayak that could be used on lakes and rivers/streams?

Looking to possibly use for water access when fall bow hunting too.


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[CALLM2U]

I'm no expert at all, but for that price range you're pobably looking at a Lifetime fishing kayak. Pelican is probably another one to consider.   

My family has several Lifetimes and they are holding up well. 

That being said, if you're going to spend many hours in it, you're going to want to do some upgrades to the seat for sure. 

[3bailey3]

I got my wife a D10 sit in from Bass pro, they alsp have some really nice sit on for fishing but way north of $500. Like already mentioned make sure you get one with a good seat, I have a Wilderness System that I can fish all day in it, Ole town also makes a good one but they are $$.

[Big Jeremy]

I've had a few sit-on-top kayaks for fishing and hunting access purposes. For your price range, you should be looking at the used market. Lots of folks get a pretty nice rig thinking they'll love it, and they might...but just don't have the time they thought they would. Resale value doesn't hold well on many kayaks.

Some things to think about:

1. Will you ever be loading this and moving it around by yourself? Probably so if using for hunting access...keep weight down if so.
2. Are you ever going to need to put a deer in the boat with you to get back to your vehicle? Keep weight capacity in mind and don't push limits too much, especially if in water that's moving fast at all.
3. If you want one that is somewhat lighter and has good weight capacity, you might prefer a small canoe.
4. The paddle you choose will make a big difference if staying on the water for long stretches of time.


Finding the right boat may take a few swings. My current, and favorite when considering all aspects, is a Crescent CK1 Venture. Seat is good (not as good as the AirPro MAX that was on my Wilderness Systems Ride 115X...that seat is THE standard), handles/tracks really well, only weighs 65 lbs. (still quite a bit to wrangle alone), has a 400 lb. capacity, and is very customizable with mighty mounts and gear tracks. I also much prefer the open cockpit style this one offers. I purchased mine used for $550 a couple of years ago and it had only been in the water a couple of times. It looked as though it had never been in the water.


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[patternfreak]

I have a Crescent Lite Tackle and my wife has the CK1. Great kayaks. I've had plenty of Ascends and Old Towns, this is a pretty big step up in quality and paddle-ability.

You could probably find a used Crescent around that 500 mark. Check Facebook Marketplace

[Dtrkyman]

I have a lifetime, doe's what I need a little fishing and a little duck hunting from it.


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[3bailey3]

Man I just checked out those Crescent are some nice boats!

[joey46]

In the past year I sold my dirt cheap Pelican sit in.  Found out I had gotten too old for a sit in. Had a heck of a time getting in and out. Replaced with a 10' jon boat that will slip in the back of a pickup. Everything's a trade off.

[Gman]

You didn't say whether you wanted a "peddle drive" or a paddle, but I'm assuming you want to paddle. (which is what I do) Crescent makes great kayaks and I almost bought one, but a Bonafide RS117 fit my needs better than the Crescent. I fish a shallow river and the RS117 doesn't draft as much water as the Crescents because of the shape of the hull. I also fish smaller lakes (less than 5000 acres) and it performs very well. The RS117 has a great 2 position seat height and is very comfortable for sitting at least 8 hours. I also looked at NuCanoe kayaks and I hated the way their seat mounts. I got a "new" leftover 2022 model year last June for $850 at a dealer in WVa. I couldn't be happier with my choice.

[Dhamilton1]

You didn't say whether you wanted a "peddle drive" or a paddle, but I'm assuming you want to paddle. (which is what I do) Crescent makes great kayaks and I almost bought one, but a Bonafide RS117 fit my needs better than the Crescent. I fish a shallow river and the RS117 doesn't draft as much water as the Crescents because of the shape of the hull. I also fish smaller lakes (less than 5000 acres) and it performs very well. The RS117 has a great 2 position seat height and is very comfortable for sitting at least 8 hours. I also looked at NuCanoe kayaks and I hated the way their seat mounts. I got a "new" leftover 2022 model year last June for $850 at a dealer in WVa. I couldn't be happier with my choice.

Just checked out the RS117, though that's out of my price range, that is a nice rig.

Where at in WV? I live in north central WV.


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[Gman]

Sportsman Emporium in Morgantown, WV

[Ranman]

I found a Jackson Kilroy HD on FB marketplace last summer. It's a nice fishing rig. I got it for $600 with nice paddle and life jackets.

[Sungrazer]

Personally I prefer a sit-in. IMO my butt at water level makes for more stability, as opposed to a sit on top.Ive had my Old Town Vapor 10 for nine years now, on everything from a crick you could almost jump across to a major river with barge traffic, best $315 I ever spent (I think they run $450 now?). Weighs 47lbs , I can throw it on my shoulder and carry to put-ins, take outs or around river obstacles. I'm obsessed with Smallmouth bass (and anything with fins that swims) will sit n fish all day, trick is to stop occasionally and stretch the legs, getting out is ok it's the standing up that gets me! Started  canoeing 41 years ago, wish I had bought a kayak 30 years ago, I love it.